• last year
Women's basketball
Transcript
00:00 [ Background noise ]
00:07 >> Hi guys.
00:08 >> Good morning.
00:10 [ Background noise ]
00:18 >> All right.
00:19 Well, obviously the competition heats up quite a bit now,
00:23 facing a team that's ranked in the top ten.
00:26 It's, I think, one of the most, you know, it's one of the premier matchups
00:30 of the non-conference season nationally.
00:34 Virginia Tech obviously being in the final four last year,
00:37 and I think they're better than they were last year because of what they've added to their mix.
00:43 But we're going against one of the best point guards and centers in the country.
00:47 Kittlee, their center, you know, not only is she 6'6",
00:50 but she's super hard to guard because she has this step-back fadeaway
00:55 that's incredibly difficult to defend.
00:59 And then also Georgia Moore, their point guard, I think she's very similar to Kaitlin in that she likes that step-back three,
01:07 going to her left, very similar players.
01:11 But they put around those guys two very good shooters.
01:16 Eck, transferred from Michigan State, very good three-point shooter,
01:20 and King has always been there, but always, again, a very good three-point shooter.
01:24 So they have three women that can shoot the three ball really well on the floor
01:28 with an outstanding center and a really good Rose,
01:32 power forward Rose who transferred from Minnesota who's an outstanding rebounder.
01:37 Question for both players.
01:42 Yeah, question for both of the players.
01:43 I know early in the basketball season a lot of teams are playing some of those tune-up games,
01:47 and basketball fans across the country are kind of looking for these matches.
01:50 What is your guys' excitement level to play in a marquee game like this?
01:53 You know, it's got its own name, the Ally Tip-Off, and it's just your game.
01:56 It's not like a tournament or anything like that.
01:58 Yeah, I think like Coach Booder said, it's two teams that are ranked in the top ten,
02:02 two teams that made it to the final four.
02:04 And I feel like as a competitor, as a player,
02:06 these are the games that you want to play in, that you live for.
02:09 And these are the games that the fans want to watch, people want to come to.
02:12 We're playing on national TV.
02:14 So it's going to be a great game, a great environment, and just going to grow the game even more.
02:18 Yeah, it's great to start the season off with this
02:20 and get fans excited for college women's basketball again.
02:25 We're kind of starting off where we left off last year.
02:28 So it's really exciting, and we obviously know they're a really good team.
02:32 We're going to go in there and we're going to do what we do.
02:35 We're going to play Iowa basketball, and we're really excited to start the season off.
02:39 Kate, what's the challenge to have somebody like Kitli there in the middle
02:43 that just sort of takes up all the air?
02:47 She draws a lot of attention, obviously.
02:49 So we're going to need to help our post as much as we can.
02:53 And whenever you have a big player in there like Kitli,
02:57 obviously rebounding is going to be a key as well.
03:00 So we obviously know we have some challenges to face with a few great--
03:05 I mean, all of their players are really good,
03:07 but she obviously does draw a lot of attention.
03:09 And so we're going to need to be physical down there with her.
03:14 But, yeah, I mean, we believe in our posts and we've been working on them.
03:17 Coach Bluter and Coach J have been getting us prepared to play against someone
03:23 like her of her caliber, so we're ready for it.
03:27 Gabby, generally you tend to get the toughest assignment on the defensive side.
03:31 What have you seen from Georgia more on film?
03:33 What do you like about her game?
03:35 What are going to be the challenges for you as a defender?
03:37 Yeah, I think she does have similarities to Kaitlin,
03:39 and it helps having to guard Kaitlin every day in practice.
03:42 I mean, you're getting the best of the best every day.
03:44 So, I mean, I take on the role of guarding the best player day in and day out,
03:48 so it's nothing too new.
03:50 She is really good, but I think we're doing a few things
03:53 to help kind of try to slow her down.
03:56 Is she similar to somebody that you've played against recently,
04:00 somebody in the Big Ten or--?
04:03 Kaitlin.
04:04 Kaitlin.
04:05 Yeah, just the step back threes, the quick shot,
04:09 and she's a student, really good off ball screens.
04:11 So, yeah.
04:14 I know it's so early in the season,
04:16 but just as far as getting new pieces kind of intermixing everything,
04:20 how have you guys seen just, you know, a Sharon step up, a Hannah step up,
04:24 and even an Addie step up in the mix?
04:27 I think it helps us that we have some versatility down there.
04:30 You know, we can have Hannah play at the five, you know, and go a little smaller.
04:33 And she's very quick and can drive from the perimeter and get rebounds.
04:37 And we have Sharon who's super physical down there as well, you know,
04:40 really big body, and same with Addie.
04:44 And so, I mean, it helps to be able to switch it up a little bit.
04:47 And, you know, each person, each five is going to give us a different look.
04:51 So, you know, we've got to keep the other teams on their toes.
04:54 And I think it's really fun and exciting that we can do that.
04:57 What have you guys seen from Sharon as far as improvements from last year?
05:02 Or is she just kind of back to where she was when she was a freshman?
05:05 I think she's just gained a lot of confidence.
05:08 That year coming back off of an injury, you know, sometimes it's a little scary.
05:13 You have to get your feel back and, you know,
05:16 know that if you fall you're going to be okay, you're not going to get re-injured,
05:19 and you have to really trust yourself.
05:21 And we've seen Sharon make some leaps and strides this past summer
05:24 and during this preseason.
05:26 And it's been really fun to see her gain her confidence back
05:29 and get that quickness back.
05:31 And, I mean, she is so physical.
05:33 Her squad always talks about how it is not fun banging down there with Sharon.
05:37 So it's been fun to, you know, see her grow in that way.
05:41 Have you seen some similar growth from Kylie as she's come back from the injury too?
05:46 Yeah, I think it's kind of the same thing with her.
05:48 You know, obviously when you come back from an injury,
05:50 you're a little bit hesitant, you know.
05:53 And so I think -- I mean, she's gotten all the jitters out and everything.
05:57 We had the three games in the summer, which helped.
06:00 And the 10 extra practices, which helped her kind of gain her confidence back.
06:06 And I think she's been doing really well, honestly.
06:08 She looks really confident out there to me.
06:10 Was there ever a moment where you're like, okay, wow, she's back.
06:13 And I guess that sort of goes for Sharon too.
06:16 Like has there ever been sort of something that you see where you're like,
06:20 oh, they're at 100% now?
06:22 I mean, just the quickness that she has going to the basket.
06:25 Kylie has like a really, really quick first step.
06:28 She's had a string of pretty good practices.
06:31 So I think she looks really good out there to me.
06:35 Is this game going to be kind of fun for you guys?
06:38 Every game's fun for us.
06:40 We love it.
06:41 Yeah, we're excited.
06:42 First row game as well, so neutral court obviously.
06:45 But we think every game's fun.
06:48 And top ten matchup, are you kidding me?
06:50 Yeah, that's very fun.
06:52 Some of these early season games you play a top ten team,
06:54 there can be a little bit of rust in those type of games.
06:56 Do you guys feel like maybe you're more prepared for this season?
06:59 You get the Europe trip, you get the game against DePaul,
07:01 which was a full game and another exhibition.
07:03 Do you feel like maybe you're more prepared for this season
07:05 compared to other years where this could be really kind of one of your
07:08 early first games of the season?
07:10 I think having those ten extra practices definitely helps.
07:14 We go into each season with the same mindset,
07:16 and I think we're, you know, if we have rust, I mean,
07:19 so do these other teams.
07:20 You see it with every single team.
07:23 It's the beginning of the season,
07:25 these kind of games help us get ready for March,
07:27 and that's what's most exciting for them or about them.
07:33 Thanks, Kate and Kathy.
07:34 Thank you.
07:35 Thanks, guys.
07:37 See you in the groups.
07:38 Yeah.
07:43 Any questions for Coach Baffert?
07:44 Did you use your scouting report from last spring on Virginia Tech?
07:49 A little bit, yeah.
07:50 I mean, we did, you know, throughout the summer
07:52 when we were working on fundamentals,
07:54 we would just pull something from their scout from last year to work on it.
07:57 So, you know, why not; right?
07:59 You know, you're working on fundamentals anyway,
08:01 so you might as well work on something you're going to face.
08:03 So, you know, they've only played one exhibition game like we have,
08:06 and so we don't have a lot to go on for this year.
08:09 I don't think they showed a lot in their exhibition,
08:11 just like we didn't show -- or in their first game,
08:14 just like we didn't show a whole lot in our first game either.
08:17 I mean, if a team is going to add transfers,
08:19 is it helpful that they're both Big Ten players,
08:21 players that you've won up against?
08:23 Yeah, I think it is.
08:24 I mean, we do know their style.
08:25 We've played against them several times.
08:27 So, yeah, I think it does help.
08:29 Coach Brooks said when he was first approached about playing this game,
08:33 he was lukewarm about it
08:35 and didn't want to play such a good team this early.
08:38 How -- you know, when you were approached, what was your reaction?
08:44 I was excited about this opportunity,
08:48 and actually we committed to it before we had the opponent.
08:52 And so, you know,
08:53 they were trying to get a lot of different people to come in here.
08:56 I heard NC State, Tennessee, you know, Virginia Tech, obviously.
09:02 So I was, you know -- I was ready to play this game
09:07 against what we knew was going to be a great opponent, no matter who it was.
09:11 I think we got the best of the crop that they were talking about
09:15 when they signed Virginia Tech, though.
09:17 I think Kenny does a great job,
09:19 and I think this is a really good basketball team.
09:21 This is obviously just kind of the first premier matchup for you guys this season.
09:24 Is there, like, something specifically you're hoping to kind of, like,
09:27 just learn about this team?
09:29 You know, it's not really learn about the team, in my opinion.
09:33 It's more just giving yourself a test,
09:36 giving yourself an opportunity to, you know, see where you are this time of year.
09:41 You know, it's a national attention game.
09:45 It's a game where, you know, it'll help you win or lose, in my opinion,
09:52 come March because you scheduled it, that you played it.
09:56 You know, it'll give us an opportunity to show some weaknesses for ourselves,
10:01 and it'll give us -- it's kind of a good barometer, you know.
10:04 Kaitlin, I think I mentioned the other day that Virginia Tech is similar to you guys.
10:08 What similarities do you see in what they do compared to you guys?
10:12 Are there really close similarities?
10:16 Yeah, it's funny.
10:17 We were sitting -- Kenny and I were sitting next to each other recruiting this summer,
10:21 and we were kind of laughing about it because I said to him about the same time
10:26 he said to me, "Your team really reminds me of our team," and we both feel that way.
10:31 So we're very similar, especially, I think, last year.
10:35 You know, Kitli just has the advantage this year because of her experience,
10:39 where last year I think we mirrored each other very much.
10:44 Coach, with how much the university or the university and athletic department get
10:48 from the sold-out crowds, the TV deal we're going to see tomorrow,
10:51 how have you seen kind of the respect and attention they give you
10:54 and the coaching staff in return kind of grow since the tournament?
10:58 You know, I don't really see our administration changing their views on us.
11:02 I see the fans changing their views.
11:05 I think they're a little bit more excited about our program as they should be
11:09 because I think we're an exciting team to watch, and everybody likes to win, so why not?
11:15 But I think our administration has always been behind our team,
11:20 and then we've had a change of administration this year with Beth coming in,
11:24 and Beth has been absolutely terrific for us to work with.
11:28 Is there anything you'd like to see in terms of improvement,
11:30 especially this season, how much the team's going to be in public eye?
11:34 I think Carver needs a facelift, and I know they're working on that.
11:38 I think our practice gym needs a facelift, and they're working on that.
11:41 So I think they're doing everything they can do.
11:43 You mentioned Kittlee and just the experience that she has down low and everything.
11:48 What kind of challenges is that going to bring, especially, you know,
11:51 Hannah's still young, and you're obviously mixing in Addy and Sharon.
11:55 Right.
11:56 Kittlee, what she does, first of all, she's very experienced.
11:59 She's 6'6", but what makes her so hard to guard is she has a fadeaway,
12:03 so it's not like you can even -- it's really hard to defend because you can be right there on her,
12:11 but she creates room with this step back.
12:15 It's a really hard shot, but she's perfected it.
12:18 She's really good at it.
12:20 She's very agile, and, you know, they bring her out to the perimeter quite a bit.
12:24 So all those things pose a little bit of issues for us.
12:27 You have several guards that you can use off the bench, whether it's Molly Davis, Kylie, Taylor.
12:32 Sid can be considered a guard as well.
12:35 Obviously it's easy to get them playing time when you're up by 30, 40 in the season opener,
12:38 but do you see that kind of the minutes dwindling, you know,
12:41 the amount of players that you used dwindling in the game against Virginia Tech?
12:45 I hope not.
12:47 I really believe in, you know, the depth that we have right now, and I want to utilize that depth.
12:53 I think, Kyle, you're right, as the season goes on, you know,
12:56 coaches kind of settle into a top eight or nine.
12:59 I don't think we're there yet, and I think, you know,
13:03 it would be nice if we wouldn't have to do that all year, but I can't predict what will happen.
13:08 Just kind of come down to game by game, you know, this game we might need nine players this game.
13:12 Maybe we go with seven.
13:13 Right.
13:14 I mean, yeah, I mean that could happen.
13:16 In the future I really, you know, I don't know.
13:19 I'd love to have the depth, you know.
13:22 So what's your mindset for the players trying to guard the three ball?
13:26 That could be pretty dangerous tomorrow night.
13:28 What's the players' mindset?
13:30 What is your kind of game plan to get the players in that kind of mindset?
13:34 Well, I mean, it's part of our everyday practice philosophy is we don't want to let up open threes,
13:40 and so that's -- I mean, that's something that we kind of drill every single day, not just for this game.
13:46 So have you seen the use of Kaitlyn on this team help some of those players day in and day out,
13:52 especially with the three-point shooters?
13:54 Yeah, I think that having Kaitlyn on the floor helps all of our defense because, I mean,
13:59 you're going against the best in the country, so how can it not improve you yourself?
14:04 I know at Big Ten Media Day you talked about just managing kind of the hype around things
14:09 and the emotions, and, like, was there almost a relief in just getting the season going
14:13 and, like, kind of just getting into actually playing games?
14:17 I think they were excited to get the season going because they were tired of playing against each other
14:23 and they're tired of playing against our practice squad of guys.
14:25 And so I think they were just giddy to actually start the season, and they know now, you know, it's for real.
14:34 They know how fast it goes.
14:36 We've talked a lot about enjoying the journey and not just focusing on the destination at the end.
14:42 But I think they're enjoying every step right now.
14:46 So you've got the game on Thursday night against Virginia Tech.
14:49 Then you have to sort of turn it around pretty quick to UNI, and that's another road game.
14:54 How do you manage that workload?
14:56 How do you, especially this early in the season, how do you navigate something that quickly?
15:02 Yeah, and we're going to get home late.
15:04 It's, you know, an 8 o'clock eastern tip, so it's going to be a late night for us before we get home.
15:11 And then we turn around, we have practice at 10 o'clock the next morning.
15:14 So it's a quick turnaround, but I think at this point, you know, in our practice, we really have to, like you say,
15:21 it's up to us to manage the legs of our players.
15:24 Again, it's early in the season.
15:26 They're not fatigued yet.
15:28 So I think that's to our advantage a little bit, but we know that that's going to be a really difficult game
15:33 playing in a sold-out arena that's very, you know, it's not small, but it's very cozy, you know.
15:42 And so I think that's going to be, you know, a challenge for us to get our mindset, you know, win or lose,
15:48 you know, ready to play UNI again.
15:50 It's not going to happen Thursday, but it could happen Sunday.
15:53 Kaitlin needs 59 points to catch Megan all-time scoring.
15:57 Did you think when Megan got to 2,800 that you'd ever have another player approach that,
16:02 let alone, you know, eventually blow it away?
16:05 Yeah, not until we signed Kaitlin.
16:07 I mean, you know, I thought that record was pretty safe for a while.
16:11 It's amazing how long it stood, and then Allie has it for a short time,
16:15 and then Megan for not that long either.
16:17 So, yeah, I didn't know that she was 59 points away.
16:24 We'll see what happens this week.
16:27 This is sort of a dilemma of the way the game is played now,
16:30 but you've got the big post that's a real problem with a high percentage shooting percentage,
16:37 and then you've got a bunch of three-point shooters out there.
16:40 How can you guard a mirror without exposing yourself?
16:44 I mean, it's sort of one or the other, isn't it?
16:47 Well, I feel like that's why they're so similar to us is because I feel like we pose that problem to people,
16:56 and I feel like they're very, you know -- again, that's why I think they mirror us very much.
17:03 Coach said that -- Coach Brooks said that both he and you are both old souls,
17:09 and he doesn't expect either team to veer away from what they do, you know, to play the other way.
17:19 So, agree?
17:20 I agree.
17:21 I think we've both been around for a while, and we both have our philosophies,
17:24 and we feel comfortable with that, and, you know,
17:27 I don't think that we're going to, you know, make wholesale changes because of that.
17:32 When you talk about just, like, emphasizing and, like, enjoying the journey,
17:37 and just the destination, like, how do you get that across to the players?
17:40 You know, talking about it, just reminding them all the time, and be grateful in every single day,
17:45 be thankful in every single day, be thankful you get to go to practice, you know.
17:49 Don't try to get through practice.
17:51 You get to go to practice, not that you have to go to practice,
17:55 and try to build that philosophy every single day.
17:58 I think you've got to talk about it with them and remind them constantly.
18:03 I don't know if you were asked about this earlier, but I saw you dressed up as Barbie for Halloween.
18:07 Just what all went into that, I guess?
18:09 How did that come about?
18:10 You know, I dress up every year, and it's kind of become a tradition now.
18:14 It's something that's fun.
18:16 I feel like at the end of October, we've been practicing really hard for a long time.
18:20 The players need some kind of comedy relief, and so let them laugh at me, you know.
18:26 I'd rather them laugh at me than each other.
18:29 How long have you been dressing up?
18:31 It's been years.
18:33 Yeah, I mean, it's been a long time.
18:38 Like the majority of your career here at Iowa?
18:40 Oh, yeah.
18:41 Oh, yeah, definitely.
18:43 What's your favorite costume?
18:45 I was Ruth Gader Ginsburg one year.
18:49 I thought that was a good one, but I also liked Flo.
18:51 I thought she was a good one.
18:53 Like from "Progressive"?
18:54 Oh, yeah.
18:55 Yeah, got to love that character.
18:58 From "Alice."
19:00 Oh, I know you're dating yourselves if you remember that one.
19:04 What have you seen from Sharon?
19:07 What has leapt off from her that you've seen?
19:13 I just think Sharon, she's so strong.
19:17 She's physical.
19:19 She's a nice, wide target for us, and she just is owning it right now.
19:25 She's just taking control of it, and I love that.
19:28 I want somebody that wants to step up and say, "This is mine.
19:31 I'm going to be here," and she has.
19:35 And with a player like Sharon who is so strong and so physically imposing,
19:41 do you think that she's got the quickness, athleticism,
19:44 for some of the more athletic bigs that you're going to see in the big 10s here?
19:48 That's going to be the challenge, in my opinion.
19:50 That is going to be the challenge for sure.
19:53 You know, she's more of a back-to-the-basket player
19:56 and less of a perimeter post player, so that will be a challenge.
20:02 Thank you.
20:03 Thanks, you guys.
20:04 Appreciate it.